Tomas Rosicky: I discussed LEAVING Arsenal in the January transfer window

TOMAS ROSICKY says he almost left Arsenal in January because of a lack of first-team football.

Tomas Rosicky has scored just two league goals this season for Arsenal

The Czech playmaker didn't start in a Premier League game this season until Boxing Day but since then has strung together a number of games and become a key member of Arsenal's season run-in.

He has started six of the Gunners' 17 games in 2015, with eight further substitute appearances as the team seek to consolidate a top-four finish in the league.

And Rosicky revealed that while he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium past this summer, he has not yet decided if he will sign a new contract.

"Since the start of the year things have improved, the team has started to play better football and what's more I'm playing. Compared to the first six months, it's much better. We'll see how it goes from here," Rosicky said to Czech press, quoted by isport.blesk.cz.

"I don't really know [why I didn't play]. It's a good question, I would also like to know.

"The coach gave me a chance towards the end the year and then began to give me more playing time. I don't know, maybe it was a watershed moment."

Rosicky added: "We had talked about [me leaving in January] in previous meetings back in September and October, but then the market closed and I couldn't do anything.

"When you don't play a single game in December and the market opens, [the prospect of leaving] is obviously on the agenda. Then you start to have second thoughts.

"It was an exception for me though, I really thought about it. Then Arsenal said stay and that was that.

"The rest of the season will go quickly, then we'll look for a solution.

"Arsenal is still an option for me next season, the ball is in their court. When I get back from international duty we will start to talk about it.

"There are two options open to me [stay at Arsenal or go elsewhere]. At the moment I am in a situation where I make the decision."

Rosicky has scored just two Premier League goals this season, providing an additional assist.